Wheel set for robot cleaner

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a wheel set for robot cleaner, which is installed under the main body of a robot cleaner for supporting the main body to move on a floor. The wheel set comprises two driving wheels. Each of the driving wheels includes a power source, two transmission mechanisms and two wheels. Each of the two transmission mechanisms is linked correspondingly with one of the two wheels and the power source so that the wheels are driven by the power source to traverse obstacles on the floor and do not scrape the floor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wheel set for robot cleaner, and moreparticularly to a wheel set for robot cleaner to traverse obstacles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, many robot cleaners developed by artificialintelligence are very popular due to the automatic cleaning withoutmanual operation. U.S. Pat. No. 6,883,201 discloses a robot cleanerhaving automatic cleaning function, but the driving device thereofcomprises one driving wheel at either side and one idle wheel in thefront. Each driving wheel is driven by a power source (motor) to makethe robot cleaner go forward or change direction, while the idle wheelworks for supporting only. However, if the robot cleaner is used on arough and uneven floor, since the idle wheel has no power to overcomethe obstacles, the idle wheel is very easy to be locked by the obstaclesso as to stop the robot cleaner. In addition, since the idle wheel hasno power and works for supporting only, the floor (e.g. a wooden floor)is very easy to be scraped by the idle wheel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a wheel set for robotcleaner to traverse obstacles and not to scrape the floor.

The wheel set for robot cleaner according to the present invention isinstalled under the main body of a robot cleaner for supporting the mainbody to move on a floor. The wheel set comprises two driving wheels,each of the driving wheels includes a power source, two transmissionmechanisms and two wheels, each of the two transmission mechanisms islinked correspondingly with one of the two wheels and the power sourceso that the wheels are driven by the power source to traverse obstacleson the floor and do not scrape the floor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the wheel set for robot cleaner installedunder the main body of a robot cleaner in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the wheel set for robot cleaner inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an assembled view of the wheel set for robot cleaner inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In order to achieve the aforementioned object, the present inventionprovides a preferred embodiment described in accompany with the drawingsas below.

Referring to FIG. 1, the wheel set for robot cleaner in accordance withthe present invention is installed under the main body of a robotcleaner for supporting the robot cleaner to move on a floor. The wheelset comprises two driving wheels, with one driving wheel at either sideof the robot cleaner. The robot cleaner further comprises controllercircuits, sensors and vacuum devices, which are not the content of thepresent invention and will not be described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 2, in which one driving wheel at one side of the robotcleaner is shown, it comprises a housing 1, a motor 2 (power source),two transmission mechanisms and two wheels 5.

The housing 1 includes a first shell 11 and a second shell 12 to form anaccommodating space to install devices stated below.

The motor 2 is placed in the central part of the housing 1, two outputaxles 21 having the same rotating speed extend horizontally andoppositely from the motor 2. The transmission mechanism comprises a worm3 and a planet gear set 4 driven by the worm 3. The worm 3 is sleeved onthe output axles 21 to rotate synchronously with the output axles 21.Two transmission mechanisms are provided as shown, each is linked withan output axle 21 and a wheel 5.

The planet gear set 4 comprises a central gear 41, a fixed annular gear42 formed in the first shell 11, a plurality of planet gear 43 engagedwith the central gear 41 and the annular gear 42, and a supporting stand44 for supporting planet gears 43 and rotating with planet gears 43. Around panel 45 is formed at one side of the central gear 41, while anexternal annular gear 46 is formed along the circumference of the roundpanel 45. The external annular gear 46 is engaged with the worm 3. Thesupporting stand 44 extends out of the first shell 11 to link with awheel 5. FIG. 3 is an assembled view of the wheel set for robot cleanerin accordance with the present invention.

As the output axles 21 of the motor 2 rotates, the worm 3 is driven torotate synchronously so as to drive the engaged external annular gear46, this is the first step for decelerating the transmission. Theexternal annular gear 46, the central gear 41 and the round panel 45 areformed integrally, so the central gear 41 and the external annular gear46 have the same rotating speed. The central gear 41 drives the planetgear 43 to rotate along the annular gear 42, this is the second step fordecelerating the transmission. Finally, the supporting stand 44 drivesthe wheel 5 to rotate. Since the motor 2 has two output axles 21 todrive two transmission mechanisms and two wheels 5 synchronously, eachwheel 5 is driven by the power source. The robot cleaner is installedwith a driving wheel at either side thereof, and each wheel 5 is drivenby the power source, so the robot cleaner is very easy to traverse arough and uneven floor and overcome obstacles. In addition, since eachwheel 5 is driven by the power source and equipped with a soft tire, thefloor (e.g. a wooden floor) will not be scraped by the wheels.

The scope of the present invention depends only upon the followingclaims, and is not limited by the above embodiment.

1. A wheel set for robot cleaner, said wheel set is installed under amain body of the robot cleaner for supporting the main body to move on afloor, said wheel set comprises two driving wheels, each of the drivingwheels includes a power source, two transmission mechanisms and twowheels, each of the two transmission mechanisms is linkedcorrespondingly with one of the two wheels and the power source so thatthe wheels are driven by the power source to traverse obstacles on thefloor and do not scrape the floor.
 2. The wheel set for robot cleaneraccording to claim 1, wherein the power source is a motor, two outputaxles having the same rotating speed extend horizontally and oppositelyfrom the motor; each of the transmission mechanism comprises a worm anda planet gear set driven by the worm; the worm is sleeved on one of theoutput axle to rotate synchronously with the output axle and drives thewheel via the planet gear set.
 3. The wheel set for robot cleaneraccording to claim 2, wherein the planet gear set comprises a centralgear, a fixed annular gear, a plurality of planet gear engaged with thecentral gear and the annular gear, and a supporting stand for supportingthe plurality of planet gear and rotating with the plurality of planetgear; a round panel is formed at one side of the central gear, while anexternal annular gear is formed along the circumference of the roundpanel; the external annular gear is engaged with the worm, while thesupporting stand links with a wheel.